5.5.18

Why You Need to Stay Away from These Vitamins

Americans started taking multivitamins and mineral supplements in the
1940s. Nowadays, diet supplements are commonly consumed by millions of
Americans who rely on supplements to improve their health and immunity.
One of the most popular American brands of supplements is Centrum.
Statistically speaking, in 2014, multivitamins accounted for 40% of
all supplement purchases or 5.7 billion dollars from the 37 billion
dollars in sale of supplements. Centrum is owned by Pfizer, the largest
pharmaceutical company in the world which deals with the manufacturing
of chemicals. Pfizer is a company known for controversy, fraud, and
legal battles.
For example, in 2012, the drug company was threatened to be sued by
the consumer watchdog group known as Center for Science in the Public
Interest due to false claims about their vitamins. This resulted in the
company settling and pulling the claims about breast and colon health,
however they did nothing about the controversial language concerning the
health benefits listed on their bottles.
To make matters worse, another problem with multivitamins is that
there is no set of standards or levels established and any blend of
supplements is considered a multivitamin. So, the question which arises
is whether multivitamins are really helpful or are they causing more
harm than good?
Unfortunately, a lot of vitamins contain whacky fillers like shower
scum and, what’s more; the same chemicals are used for the production of
coal, line tin cans, and propel jets. When it comes to the Centrum
vitamins, they contain at least 3 preservatives; few color additives,
and various chemicals. Here’s a list of some of the most harmful
ingredients found in the Centrum vitamins:GMO corn starch– genetically modified corn has a lot
of negative effects and it’s particularly damaging to the liver,
kidneys, heart, spleen, and adrenal gland. GMO foods can lead to kidney
failure which is usually fatal.Calcium carbonate- this compound is found in shells,
rocks, and pearls and it can sometimes increase the levels of calcium
in the body, however, it has been linked with heart disease and stroke
in elder people. Numerous studies have established a connection between
this compound and heart problems and myocardial infarction.Hydrogenated oils- when processed under extreme
heat, pressure or when injected with metal, hydrogenated oils become
toxic. When consumed, these oils clog the arteries and can cause serious
heart and arterial problems. The brain also becomes negatively affected
which may further causes ADHD and Alzheimer’s.Food dye yellow 6- this food dye is toxic and
carcinogenic, thus, it can cause allergies, tumors on the kidneys and
testicles, as well as chromosomal damage. Other side effects are
restlessness, hyperactivity, and ADHD.Titanium dioxide– this naturally-occurring mineral
is added to a lot of products in order to increase the whiteness, for
example, to paints, ink, paper, toothpastes, etc. However, it has been
found to have a carcinogenic effect on humans. Recent studies done with
mice have shown that exposure to dust fragments of titanium dioxide
caused lung cancer.Polyethylene glycol- this additive is added during
the manufacturing of coal-burning plants, rocket fuels, and
over-the-counter laxatives. Unfortunately, it can cause kidney damage,
allergic reactions, hives, and esophageal bleeding. To make matters
worse, it has also been associated with autism.
The children vitamins manufactured by Centrum are believed to be even
more harmful that the ones for adults as they have even more dangerous
ingredients. Let’s take a look:Aspartame- this carcinogenic sweetener converts to
methanol, a toxic chemical, and once digested, it can cause cancer,
lupus, ADD, birth defects, multiple sclerosis, etc.

Food dye blue 2– this dye, which is banned in Norway, has been associated with brain tumors, general malaise, and learning disorders.Cupric oxide- this copper mineral is listed as a hazardous material in Europe and it can lead to kidney disease and childhood cirrhosis.Zinc oxide- it’s also classified as harmful in
Europe and it is what makes the SPF in sunscreens and this is why most
of them are toxic. Zinc oxide can cause constipation, diarrhea, stomach
problems, etc.Sugar- sucrose, the extraction of cane or beets,
also known as table sugar, has around 100 adverse side effects like
cancer, obesity, anxiety, diabetes, suppression of mineral and vitamin
absorption, etc.Lactose– it can cause lactose intolerance as well as bloating, cramps, upset, stomach, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
After reading the serious and harmful side effects of both the
children and adult multivitamins, you’re probably wondering how to get
the daily amount of vitamins and minerals? The answer is very simple and
it’s right in front of you- through daily consumption of whole foods.
The list below shows the foods which are rich in nutrients:Veggies
Veggies are loaded with vitamins and minerals and some of the most
nutritious veggies are leafy green veggies like broccoli, spinach,
cabbage, avocados, as well as sweet potatoes and watercress.Herbs
They have nutrients, antioxidants, phytosterols, and essential oils
that are great for the health. Namely, curcumin, an antioxidant found in
turmeric, has the power to fight off cancer and brain diseases. The
volatile oils present in a lot of herbs can fight off cancer, encourage
weight loss, treat anxiety and poor digestion, etc. The most potent
herbs are turmeric, garlic, parsley, basil, ginger, and oregano.Fruits
They’re the biggest source of folate, vitamin C, fiber, and
potassium. Fruits are very powerful when it comes to lowering the blood
pressure and decreasing the chance of heart disease. Pomegranates, acai
berries, goji berries, red grapes, and maqui berries have the biggest
amount of antioxidants.Sprouts- sprouting is the process of germination of
seeds, whether they are grains, nuts, beans, etc. They’re easy for
digestion and sprouting is known to unlock potent enzymes; they also
increase the levels of beneficial flora in the gut which results in
reduced autoimmune reaction to consumption of these foods.Organic and grass-fed meat and wild game- grass-fed
meat is rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are vital for the body as
they’re healthy fats. Wild game and grass-fed meat is also richer in
nutrients and low on calories and fat. Grass-fed meat also has CLA, a
healthy fat that fights off cancer.Eggs and free-range poultry– they have more
nutrients and good fats than the caged variety. They also have more
vitamin E and A, beta-carotene, and omega-3 fatty acids. Free range eggs
also have vitamin D.Wild-caught fish– they supply the body with the
needed fatty acids and, unlike farmed fish, wild-caught fish are free of
coloring, toxins, and hormones. They make a great source of protein and
they can lower the risk of Alzheimer’s when consumed at least twice per
week.Raw dairy– it’s rich in minerals, acids, and
fat-soluble vitamins and it can also strengthen the immunity, improve
the health of the skin, nail, and hair, and to fight off cancer and
other digestive issues.
If your diet still doesn’t supply you with the needed amount of
vitamins and minerals, and you need to opt for multivitamins, make sure
you buy real food multivitamins. When choosing a multivitamin, make sure
you read the label and avoid the ones which contain soy, gluten, corn,
hydrogenated oils, preservatives, GMOs, colorings, dyes. Instead, opt
for multivitamins that are 100% organic and whole food-based.